Communication unit and communication method used in the same

Abstract

A communication unit is provided which a first portion of the communication unit is connected to an external power line and a second portion of the communication unit is connected to an external electronic apparatus. The communication unit includes a power conversion section configured to convert an alternating-current power supplied through the external power line into a direct-current power and to supply the converted direct-current power to the external electronic apparatus, and a control-section configured to control communication performed between the external power line and the external electronic apparatus. The control section is configured to control at least one of an output voltage and an output power of the direct-current power to be output from the power conversion section to the external electronic apparatus in accordance with power requirement information sent from the external electronic apparatus.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of Japanese Patent Application No.2004-373689, filed Dec. 24, 2004, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND [0002] 1. Field [0003] The present invention relates to communication units and communication methods used in the same. In particular, the present invention relates to a communication unit that supplies power and performs data communications through existing power lines employing a commercial power source and to a communication method used in the communication unit. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Nowadays, research and development of a technology called power line communication or power-line carrier communication is advancing, and such a communication technology is reaching the commercial stage. In some countries, commercial services and demonstration experiments relating to the communication technology have begun, so the act of ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Therefore, in order to perform power line communication between a plurality of information electronic apparatuses, a user must prepare power-line communication units corresponding to different rated voltage and different maximum output power, and this is inconvenient for the user.

Therefore, if AC power is not input because of a power blackout or the like, the electronic circuit is rendered inoperable and thus communication over power lines becomes impossible.

Therefore, if a connected information electronic apparatus does not have an auxiliary power source, such as a battery, data that is being processed may be lost when a power blackout occurs.

Moreover, since power line communication uses interior wiring of power lines, an unspecified large number of people can access the communication.

However, no technique relating to a power-line communication system or a power-line communication unit that has such a security ensuring unit has been disclosed.

Images